British Need To Remove Article 19 If They Are Serious AboutDealing With The Past

Published: 20 February, 2007

Sinn Fein spokesperson on the Policing issue Gerry Kellytoday attended both the Policing the Future conference inthe Waterfront Hall and the collusion conference held tocoincide with it in the Hilton Hotel.

Speaking after the events Mr Kelly said:

"This morning I attended the conference entitled Policingthe Future in the Waterfront Hall. Given the title of thisconference I was disturbed to find that no space on theagenda had been given over to discussing collusion. It wasfor this reason that I intervened in the proceedings tospeak about the issue.. I also invited people present inthe hall to take the opportunity to attend the conferencein the nearby Hilton hotel organised by the families ofthose killed through collusion. I am happy that asubstantial number of those present did make their way tothe other event.

"Geraldine Finucane when she addressed the large crowdpresent made the point that to be able to move on we needto know what went on. That is advice which the Britishgovernment need to heed. If the British government areserious about dealing with the past then the first thingthat needs to happen is for them to remove Article 19 ofthe Inquires Act and allow the inquiry into the murder ofPat Finucane to proceed in the terms demanded by JudgeCorey. This is a simple test which will demonstrate clearlyhow serious those within the British system actually areabout delivering for victims." ENDS

Sinn Fein Assembly candidate Martina Anderson has welcomedthe commencement of work to remove the Rosemount WatchTower.

Ms Anderson said:

"The removal of Britain's war apparatus from our countryhas been a key demand made by Sinn Fein throughout eachstage of our negotiations with the British government. Inrecent times some significant progress has been made.

"I welcome the fact that work has now begun on removingthis watch tower. It's a great day for the people ofRosemount who have campaigned long and hard for itsremoval."

"This military post has been blight on this community fortoo long. Local people will be glad to see the back of thiseyesore and those who spied on them from within it."

"Sinn Fein are determined to ensure that all British Armyforces are removed from our communities and lands stolenand occupied be returned to their rightful owners or put tocommunity use." ENDS

Against this recurrent comforting beat Mr Simpson says heisn't taking any votes for granted in Upper Bann. He willcanvass everywhere and says he helps constituents of allnationalities - Portadown is now home to almost 1,000Portuguese and Polish workers - and faiths.

"Someone might come up to me and say: 'I'm a RomanCatholic,' and I will say, that makes no difference. I'mhere to help everybody."

The Upper Bann town of Portadown where Mr Simpson was bornis infamous for the Drumcree dispute over whether membersof the Orange Order, like Mr Simpson, could walk down thenationalist Garvaghy Road.

In a signal of changed times, camera crews and journalistsnow travel to Portadown to document the fortunes of itsrising population of Polish and Portuguese workers.

Mr Simpson acknowledges he will be remembered for takingthe seat of Upper Bann from UUP leader Lord Trimble ofLisnagarvey in 2005, but it wouldn't make a welcomeepitaph.

"There was a lot of hype about Upper Bann being the Battleof the Davids but my battle will be in the next generalelection when I'm being judged for what I've achieved inthe last 20 months [ as MP]."

Another thing the political fact-fan will remember MrSimpson for is being one of 12 signatories from the party -the so-called Twelve Apostles - to a document insistingthat party leader Ian Paisley had not nominated himself asfirst minister in the Assembly on November 24th last year.

But there's no dissension in the ranks as David and hisfellow DUP candidate John McCrum jr (known as "Junior") andtheir workers amble through the estate, shoving partyleaflets into letterboxes and chatting to passersby.

"It's good exercise for him," one waggish party workerpipes up, gesturing at Mr Simpson's comfortable build.

Mr Simpson says he's been hearing good things on the doorsabout the party's strategy for sharing/not sharing powerwith Sinn Fein.

"What I've been finding is that what people want is acredible period [ of testing Sinn Fein's commitment topeaceful methods]. People aren't opposed to power-sharingper se."

What does concern voters, he says, is education, proposedwater rates - all the bread-and-butter issues.

One resident of the Seapatrick estate is outraged at theprospect of paying for water rates and angry because hesays the DUP has done nothing to oppose it.

"But we're all over the local papers saying how we opposewater rates," Mr Simpson says. "We oppose them day anddailys."

"It doesn't matter, as you have my vote anyway," theresident adds as the discussion concludes.

NATIONALIST BATTLEGROUND:There have been predictions that athird nationalist seat could be won in next month'selections due to the growth in the nationalist populationin the area. The SDLP is fielding two candidates - sittingAssembly member Dolores Kelly and her fellow Craigavoncouncillor Patrick McAleenan. Sinn Fein is putting upsitting member and Craigavon councillor John O'Dowd andBanbridge councillor Desmond Ward. Although it's claimedthat Sinn Fein has its eye on the second Ulster Unionistseat, some in the SDLP camp believe it is its existing seatwhich is the focus of Sinn Fein efforts. Sinn Fein feels ithas spread itself through the constituency a bit more thistime, as Dessie Ward is a councillor on Banbridge DistrictCouncil. SDLP is hoping its voters will get out on pollingday as it blames the stay-at-homes for its poor showing inUpper Bann in 2003.

The Republican Sinn Fein candidate, former prisoner BarryToman, is not expected to cause a serious dent in SinnFein's vote.

UNIONIST BATTLEGROUND:Upper Bann became synonymous withelectoral upset in the general election of 2005 after theDUP's David Simpson defeated Ulster Unionist leader DavidTrimble, the constituency's MP for 15 years. Mr Trimble -now Lord Trimble of Lisnagarvey - resigned as party leaderafter the humiliating blow and is not running in theseelections. His absence this year is expected to have animpact on the unionist vote - Mr Trimble carried asignificant personal vote and it remains to be seen whetherhis voters will stay at home, vote Ulster Unionistnonetheless or vote DUP. The sitting Assembly member, UUPSamuel Gardiner, is joined on the ticket by Arnold Hatchand George Savage. Mr Savage was elected in 1998 but lostin 2003. Sitting DUP Assembly members David Simpson andStephen Moutray are joined on their ticket by John McCrumjnr, a councillor in the traditionally Ulster Unionist areaof Banbridge.

Two Independent candidates from the unionist community,Suzanne Peeples and David Calvert, aren't expected to causeany major upsets.

WILD CARDS:None, as small parties do not do well in UpperBann - in fact, the Portadown Times newspaper brands theConservatives and Green Party, who have put up David Fryand Helen Corry respectively, "no-hopers".But the AllianceParty believes the middle ground in Upper Bann, thin as itmay be, should have a voice. Its candidate is SheilaMcQuaid, whose husband Frank gained 571 votes in theelection of 2003.

Anti-agreement unionist candidate David Calvert hasattracted a supporter from the Democratic Unionists,Craigavon councillor Mark Russell, who has left the partyto campaign for Mr Calvert.

Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams will participate in acyber-launch of Sinn Fein's Assembly Election website onTuesday February 20th. The party has asked users of itsSinn Fein News, Sinn Fein, Bebo, MySpace and YouTubewebsites to email in questions to Gerry Adams atinfo@sinnfeinassembly.com concerning the March 7th Assemblyelection, the peace process and the role of the internet asa grassroots communication tool.

A video of Mr Adams answering a number of the questionswill air on the new site - www.sinnfeinassembly.com - at5pm, today Tuesday 20th February.

The British and Irish governments must "put it up" to theDUP on March 26th by testing whether the party will enterinto a devolved powersharing Stormont administration,according to the SDLP leader, Mark Durkan.

Mr Durkan, who launched the SDLP election campaign in theEdge venue in Belfast yesterday, accused the DUP of tryingto "cook up a Plan C" as an alternative to the two existingproposals: powersharing with Sinn Fein and the other mainparties, and the governments' "Plan B", a stronger role forDublin in the affairs of the North if there were nodevolution.

"This proves that they don't take the governments' rhetoricabout devolution or dissolution on March 26th seriously.They just hear it - and they sneer at it," he said. "We arecalling on the governments to end the games and devolve onMarch 26th come what may. That would put it up to the DUPto form an executive.

"But even if they don't and the Assembly is then dissolved,at least we will be clear on who exactly is responsible.That, at least, would end the uncertainty," Mr Durkan said.

He argued that devolution could not succeed with the DUPand Sinn Fein determining politics in Northern Ireland."Left to themselves, the DUP and Sinn Fein can't make itwork," he said.

The SDLP is standing 35 candidates in the Assemblyelections, 14 of whom are women. It is contesting each ofthe North's 18 constituencies. Mr Durkan predicted theparty would gain on the 18 seats won in the 2003 elections.He indicated the party was aiming for a first seat inStrangford, and an additional seat in Newry and Armagh.

More than 1,500 Irish Americans packed into the UnitedIrish Cultural Center in San Francisco last Thursday at amega rally in support of comprehensive immigration reform,with another 150 signing up for the Irish Lobby forImmigration Reform's March 7 rally in Washington, D.C.

The massive crowd heard a ringing endorsement from HouseSpeaker Nancy Pelosi via a message from her office whichsaid she was looking forward to seeing ILIR members in thenation's capital on March 7.

Pelosi's immigration staffer Harriet Ishimoto said thespeaker considered immigration reform a priority and thatit could not succeed without ILIR's efforts.

Ishimoto also told the crowd that Speaker Pelosi was makingthe resources of both her D.C. and San Francisco officesavailable to ILIR volunteers.

Last week's rally was organized by the Irish Lobby forImmigration Reform in conjunction with the Irish PastoralCenter (IPC) in San Francisco. IPC executive directorCeline Kennelly said it was the biggest event the venue hadhosted in decades.

The rally was opened by the Irish American Mayor of SanFrancisco Gavin Newsom, who pledged his support to theIrish. Rally organizers were thrilled that Newsom,embroiled in a political crisis over an extramaritalaffair, did not let them down on the night. He happilypulled on the "Legalize the Irish" T-shirt and posed forphotographs with the crowd.

There was a huge media presence at the rally withrepresentatives from the Los Angeles Times, the SanFrancisco Chronicle, and Ireland's national TV and radionetworks, RTE and TG4.

The huge crowd began arriving at 7 p.m. for an 8 p.m. kick-off. One young couple, who had driven in from San Jose forthe rally, said they were at their wits' ends. Mary andPatrick, who are the parents of two young children, saidthey were running out of time. "We've been here for nineyears now and we have two children who are both at schoolhere. I can't drive them to and from school anymore becauseI can't renew my driving license," Mary said.

Pointing to her husband, she added, "Pat's built up a smallplumbing business, he's got four people working full timefor him, pays all his taxes and everyone thinks we'relegal. I don't know what we're going to do if this doesn'twork."

Mary and Pat have already booked their flights to D.C. andare bringing their children with them. "We have to take astand on this," said Pat. "At least we'll be able to tellthe kids we did our best to fight for them. It would breaktheir hearts to leave their friends at school here. It'sall they've ever known."

However, like everyone else in the crowd, they took greatheart from what they heard. Speaker after speakerreiterated how important San Francisco was in the politicalcampaign and urged everyone to let Speaker Pelosi, thecongressional representative for the area, know the Irishwanted change.

Local council member Fiona Ma passed up an engagement inSacramento to speak at the rally. She said it was vitallyimportant that the San Francisco Irish continued to maketheir voices heard. "Believe me," she said, "your calls areon not falling on deaf ears."

Ma also announced that the normally fractious city councilin San Francisco (Board of Supervisors) had joined withNewsom in passing a resolution in favor of comprehensiveimmigration reform and supporting the Irish Lobby forImmigration Reform campaign.

San Francisco's Irish Consul General Emer Deane made animpassioned appeal to the Irish to keep faith with thebattle and reiterated the Irish government's support forILIR.

Bart Murphy, the chairman of the Coalition of IrishImmigration Centers, slammed those who said the Irish werelooking for a special deal, instead likening the Irisheffort to Thomas the Tank Engine.

"Contrary to the comments of some naysayers, the Irish arenot looking for a special deal in this campaign. We areleveraging our national experience of over 200 years ofimmigration for the benefit of all immigrant groups in theU.S. Like Thomas the Tank, we just happen to be the usefulengine of this particular train," Murphy said. This was acommon refrain for the night as every speaker described theneed for comprehensive immigration reform.

ILIR Vice Chairman Ciaran Staunton said, "We're all in thistogether. We're taking this battle to Congress on behalf ofall immigrants. No matter where you came from - Guatemalaor Gort in Mayo or Mexico, Tralee or Tegucigalpa - we'reall immigrants and we're all in this together. When youattack one immigrant community, you attack us all." Facedwith a sea of t-shirts in the crowds, ILIR ExecutiveDirector Kelly Fincham said, "Every one of you wearing yourLegalize the Irish t-shirt tonight represents every one ofthe 12 million undocumented immigrants in this country.Their battle is our battle."

Describing the long shared history of Irish America, AngusMcCarthy told the crowd how he had also been illegal in the1980s and won his green card in a lottery. Now an immigrantrights commissioner in San Francisco, McCarthy said, "I wasa beneficiary in the late 1980s and I am very grateful forthe work that was done then. I'm here because I believethat we Irish don't pull the ladder up behind us."

Speaking after the rally, Kennelly confirmed that over 150people were booked on red-eye flights for the 3,000-miletrek to D.C. on March 7. "This is what it's all about -let's get out there and make a difference," she said.

IN a spectacular turn of events, Republican Senator JeffSessions of Alabama, notoriously hesitant to pass any guestworker bill without first securing the border, told theIrish Lobby for Immigration Reform (ILIR) at Senateimmigration hearings last week that there was somethingwrong in the Senate bill because it did not fix the problemof Irish immigration restrictions.

"The ancestors of John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan couldnot legally come to this country and out of one millionvisas, only 2,000 went to the Irish. Why? How can I fixthat?" he asked, reddening as he leaned over his podium.

"There is nothing in the Senate bill that fixes that. Howcan I fix that, tell me, how can I fix that?" he asked ILIRfounder and Chairman Niall O'Dowd.

O'Dowd, joined by 35 ILIR volunteers who traveled on anearly hour bus journey to Washington from Connecticut andNew York, testified before the Senate Judiciary Committeelast week on the endangered species of the Irish in Americabecause of tough immigration laws.

Both chambers, the Senate and the House, have heldcompeting hearings this summer around the country and inWashington, D.C. At every one there is the presence of thewhite t-shirts emblazoned with the words "Legalize theIrish."

"The facts are clear to us. Without immigration reform theIrish-born community in the United States will no longerexist and one of the greatest contributors to the successof this nation will be no more," said a grim O'Dowd beforethe hearing committee.

"Meanwhile, our un-documented community is under siege.They can no longer travel to Ireland, even when familytragedies occur. Their driver's licenses will not berenewed which means mothers cannot drive their children toschool. The day-to-day struggle of living illegally inAmerica has taken a heavy personal toll on them.

"I submit that they deserve better. Every-thing they haveworked years for in America, building their own Americandream is now falling around them, and I submit that Americawill be the big loser."

O'Dowd described how scores of Irish men and women toiledthrough the rubble in the aftermath of the World TradeCenter attacks and were never asked about their status.

"They did no more than previous Irish generations. AsPresident Bush has stated, 'Throughout our history Americahas been greatly blessed by the innumerable contributionsof the Irish.' Unfortunately the contribution of Irish-bornmay be about to end. The sad reality is that there issimply no way for the overwhelming majority of Irish peopleto come to the United States legally at present.

"So when people say to me that the Irish should get in lineto come here, I tell them there is no line we can join, noway the vast majority of our people can come legally toAmerica. Such realities, however, have not stoppedthousands of Irish doing what generations of Irish havedone since they served in George Washington's army - comingto America and living the American dream like generationsbefore them."

O'Dowd told the harrowing stories of undocumented peoplewhose lives have been turned upside down as they have beenstripped of their ability to travel, drive and many basicrights. To the hushed room, O'Dowd's words hung heavy inthe air. But he was not alone is telling truths.

Gutierrez, the former Kellogg cereal chairman who emigratedfrom Cuba at age seven, said President Bush is committed tocomprehensive reform and that tougher enforcement will failwithout expanding legal programs for low-skilled workers toenter the country.

"An immigration reform bill needs to be comprehensivebecause all elements of this problem must be addressedtogether, or none of them will be solved at all," Gutierrezsaid.

"How do we execute comprehensive reform? That execution cantake on a lot of different avenues, but it needs to becomprehensive reform. The president has called forcomprehensive reform that includes protecting our bordersand recognizing the needs of our growing economy."

He argued that new immigrants give the U.S. "a tremendouscompetitive advantage" over industrialized countries inEurope and Japan that have aging and declining populationsand little experience assimilating immigrants.

"More than 500 of our nation's top economists recently senta letter to President Bush and Congress stating thatimmigration has been a net gain for American citizens. Andtwo-thirds of American voters say they support bills thatinclude a temporary worker program or path to citizenship,rather than one that focuses solely on border security."

Gutierrez said this year the only thing politicians neededwas good dialogue.

"What we need now is leadership and reasonable compromisein the middle. An immigration reform bill needs to becomprehensive, because all elements of this problem must beaddressed together, or none of them will be solved at all,"he said.

Chairing the hearing, Senator Arlen Specter, Republican ofPennsyl-vania, suggested that criticism of illegalimmigration has taken on a xenophobic cast. Spectermentioned the Irish and the Polish and every other new wavethat was at first shunned and now forms the fabric ofAmerica.

Massachusetts Senator Edward Kennedy first made mention ofthe by now familiar sight of Legalize the Irish t-shirts atthe hearing and complained about the real lack of gooddialogue on the issue, reading aloud the loaded title ofone of this weeks hearings which will ask whether theSenate's amnesty provisions repeat the mistakes of thepast.

"This is what we're faced with in trying to have alegitimate dialogue and debate," Kennedy said.

In the rapid-fire questions and answers that followed histestimony, O'Dowd was asked by the attending senators whatILIR wanted.

"I want for the Irish what every other country has, visas.We don't want to take visas from anyone else, we just wantto be able to come to this country legally to continue theIrish American legacy," he said.

And then Sessions asked him how to fix the Irish problem.Sessions has in the past been credited with such statementsas, "I do not believe we should award people who haveentered our country illegally, submitted a false SocialSecurity number, worked illegally." But Sessions wasthrilled to shake the hands of the ILIR volunteers andoffered to help them in their fight for legalization.

"What a change you are making to the minds of the topleaders here in Washington," said one Capitol. Hill stafferto the ILIR volunteers. "I overheard two extremely high upHouse members talking about how the Irish are affecting therole of changing the minds of so many in Washington and howno matter what hearings are on, they turn up in busloads."

Despite the last minute scheduling of hearings on theimmigration debate, the ILIR volunteers are determined todispatch buses to attend every hearing on the issue.

"Because the Legalize the Irish t-shirts have been seen atall the hearings and we've done interviews and educatedpeople as to just how difficult it is to get a visa withthe current immigration system in the United States, thehearings are turning into an opportunity to change minds,"said undocumented immigrant Nina.

Damien Halpen, 43, a plumber from Dublin who has lived inAmerica for 15 years, says the best part about the ILIRroad tour to attend every hearing is that the volunteersalways have a good time.

"I love it, all of this. And I say to Senator Sessions, Iwant you to fix this. There should be visas for the Irishto come out to America. We don't have a criminal problem,we all work. We just want to be legal so we can live ourgood lives," he said.

Later, as the weary delegates piled onto their bus for theride back home, faces around the Capitol nodded theirgreetings to the group and the volunteers decided there wasonly one thing they hadn't done on their lobbying trips toD.C. - take a picture outside the White House.

So, just before heavy rain started, the group posed outsidethe building, joking that President Bush was probablywatching them from his office window. "Next time, he mightinvite us in," said Seamus Ryan.

The Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform (ILIR) will host ameeting in Dublin on Saturday, April 14 to create anopportunity for Irish families and friends to get involvedin the fight for legal status for the estimated 50,000undocumented Irish in the U.S.

The meeting will be held in the ballroom in Jurys Hotel inBallsbridge from 1-4 p.m. Jurys is located across from theAmerican Embassy.

Niall O'Dowd, founder and chairman of ILIR, considers itimperative to inform and include Irish families in thelobbying process to achieve legal status for their lovedones.

"We think it is very important that parents and friendsunderstand the complexity of the issue so they can dowhatever is necessary to help their family members who areundocumented in the U.S.," said O' Dowd.

"Anyone who attended our packed rally in San Francisco lastweek realizes this is a hot button issue for thousands ofIrish. They deserve to have their families informed of whatwe are trying to achieve."

"We have had repeated requests from parents and families toget involved so now we will certainly try and do so," headded. O'Dowd and other ILIR leaders will address themeeting, which has already received a tremendous responsein Ireland.

Some families are preparing to make a weekend of it. Otherswill travel up and down in the same day.

Jimmy Ryan, a parent from Co. Limerick whose son has beenin the U.S. for three years, is all geared up for the tripto Dublin. "Myself and my wife will get the train up themorning and then we can get the last one home," said Ryan,who told the Irish Voice that he has been eager to dosomething for a while but has always felt helpless.

"I'm looking forward to getting stuck in. My son has beenliving in the shadows for three years and it's time I as aparent did something to help him," said Ryan, who hopes themeeting will help crate a group in Ireland that will workwith ILIR in the U.S. to get the job done.

Dublin native Deirdre Foy, now living in Queens, spoke withher family and was promised that 10 members would go to themeeting in Dublin to support her.

"I spoke with my family yesterday and I was informed threeof my aunts and my cousins will also be there," said Foy,who said she "laid it on thick" since her family are livingin Clontarf, only three miles outside the Capitol.

The decision to hold the meeting across the Atlanticstemmed from several requests from family members ofundocumented to know what they could do at their end toensure legal status for their sons or daughters.

"ILIR has always been an inclusive organization and weunderstand the need for parents to be involved. We know thetrauma every family suffers at the sight of an empty chairat family functions like weddings, funerals, birthdays andthe desire they have for their children to be present,"O'Dowd said.

"Now they can play a significant role in creating an issueof this in Ireland at a vital time of importance for Irishimmigrants as the immigration debate comes front and centerin America."

The Dublin meeting has received great support from Irishinstitutions such as the Catholic Church. O'Dowd is hopefulthat more will come on board and support ILIR.

"We have had tremendous support from politicians of allparties and we believe there is a huge informational gap wemust fill for these families. We will be hoping to create anew working group in Ireland which will work with us in thecritical six months ahead," he said.

Discussions are also set to take place with the CatholicChurch, which has an Irish abroad group which deals withthe issue.

SENATOR John McCain electrified an audience of more than2,000 at an Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform (ILIR) townhall meeting in the Bronx last Friday, and expressed astrong belief that Congress will soon find common ground ona way to legalize a majority of the estimated 11 millionundocumented immigrants in the U.S.

McCain, the Arizona Republican who is working in tandemwith Democratic colleague Senator Edward Kennedy to winapproval for a strong version of their McCain/ Kennedyreform bill in the Senate this week, also stressed that therecent pro-immigration rallies in the U.S. are having asignificant impact on the shape of the debate on CapitolHill.

"With the kind of demonstrations taking place acrossAmerica I think we will have a bill for President Bush tosign very soon," McCain said to wild rounds of applause atSt. Barnabas church in the Irish enclave of Woodlawn. "TheAmerican people are yearning for those of us in Washingtonto reach across the aisle and act in the best interests ofthe nation on this issue, instead of fighting about it.

The McCain meeting was another triumphant outing for ILIRand its committed, thousands-strong membership, many ofwhom were wearing the group's "Legalize the Irish" t-shirtson the night.

Formed four months ago by Irish Voice publisher NiallO'Dowd and community activist Ciaran Staunton, ILIR'simpact on the national immigration debate has beensubstantial, a fact that McCain acknow-ledged during hisspeech.

"So many of you have taken so much time and effort,including the 3,000 of you who traveled to Washington, D.C.last month, and you are being heard," McCain said,referring to the ILIR rally on Capitol Hill on March 8.McCain spoke at the event, and was so impressed by thegroup's efforts that his staffers immediately contactedILIR to arrange a meeting in the Bronx.

The senator entered St. Barnabas to the theme music fromthe film Rocky, and the crowd was pumped, giving him aboisterous standing ovation that lasted several minutes andalso included chants of "Ole, Ole, Ole" and the Irishsignature song, "The Fields of Athenry."

McCain's words of hope were music to the ears of those inattendance, many of whom stand to benefit from thetemporary worker provision in the McCain/Kennedy bill thatwould grant legal status to qualified undocumented in theU.S. prior to January of 2004. The bill will likely bevoted on by the full Senate at the end of this week, and ifapproved will have to be reconciled with a House measurethat deals only with border enforcement and increasedsecurity.

The Senate is leaning towards approval of a temporaryworker program, and McCain said he is determined to protectits inclusion when the House/Senate conference on the issuecommences after the Senate vote.

"Both parties will be at the conference, but SenatorKennedy and I worry about these things," he said. "Strangethings can sometimes happen at conference. We might insistthat it be an open conference so that all the deliberationsare known."

A front-runner for the GOP presidential nomination in 2008,McCain had words of praise for President George W. Bush,who has forcefully expressed his desire for Congress tooffer legal status to qualified undocumented workers.

One of the questions McCain fielded after his remarks camefrom a man who asked if President Bush had spent all hispolitical capital on the war in Iraq, thus making histhoughts on immigration reform irrelevant.

"I think he has capital left," McCain replied. "PresidentBush was governor of the state of Texas and he is familiarwith this issue. There is a segment (in Washington) that isopposed to reform. He is not, and he is standing up forit."

The efforts to block the creation of a guest worker programfor the undocumented in favor of border and securitymeasures only are being spearheaded primarily by members ofMcCain's Republican Party in both the House and Senate. Headmitted the difference of opinion in the GOP is strong.

"I'm concerned about the future of the Republican Party,but I'm more concerned about the future of the nation, andwhat kind of a nation we are going to be," McCain said.

"I think we're going through a great debate in the party.But I think we can build consensus on this issue. The windis at our backs. I'm optimistic. I encourage discussion inany party."

One of the questioners asked McCain about Congressman PeterKing, co-sponsor of the House bill that would also turn theundocumented into felons, and those who aid them.

King and McCain are long-time political allies; King wasone of the first to lend support to McCain's campaign forthe presidency in 2000. The Long Island representative hasbeen a steadfast supporter of all Irish issues during histime in Congress, but has parted ways when it comes toimmigration reform.

"Peter is a fine man and a fine representative," McCainsaid of King, who was elected chairman of the HouseHomeland Security Committee last year. "I think the peoplein this room ought to provide him with a better educationon the matter."

McCain's words for Congressman Tom Tancredo, Republican ofColorado who is a strident opponent of offering any type oflegalization to the undocumented, were far less friendly."I don't usually respond to him," McCain said, "but whatwould I say to him? Well, come on in, the water's fine!"

Throughout the meeting, McCain stressed the impossibilityof physically seeking out 11 million undocumented residentsand deporting them. "I would like someone to explain to mehow that could be done," he said.

"Some believe we should round them up and send them back. Idon't know how you do that, and I don't know why you'd wantto. Of course, post-September 11 America must enforce itsborders, and protect against people who want to come hereto do us harm.

"But (the undocumented) have grasped the lowest rung of ourladder. They want to rise, and we should let them. Let themcome out of the shadows, pay a fine, stay employed, paytaxes, and earn their citizenship. We all will be thebetter for it."

McCain, a member of the Senate since 1986, said the currentimmigration debate is unlike anything he has ever seen inhis vast political career.

"It's really something else," he stated. "Senator MelMartinez from Florida said to me that this issue hasgalvanized his state in a way he has never seen in hislife. We've never seen anything quite like this. There were200,000 people demonstrating in Phoenix, and the sheriff inLA told me the march there attracted close to 750,000people. We've never seen this kind of active participationin the process.

"I know that sooner or later we will prevail. In themeantime, how many people suffer in the shadows? Every daysomeone is being abused or mistreated. That's not whatAmerica is supposed to be all about."

"Last fiscal year 410 people died in the desert of Arizona.They died trying to come here to have a better life," hesaid. "One of those dead was a two year old girl. Anotherdied with a rosary in her hand. There's a humanitarian sideof this issue that we really do need to keep in mind."

The audience, looking for direction in the crucial daysahead, was advised by McCain to apply political pressurenow more than ever. New York Senators Charles Schumer andHillary Clinton support immigration reform efforts, but headvised that people should call friends and family membersin other states.

"You all know people all over the country. Get them to findout how members of the Senate stand on this issue in theirstate," McCain said.

"If they're on the wrong side call and ask them to change,and if they're on the right side call and say thanks. Thereis nothing our large egos like better than words of thanks.

"And next time you hear discussion about the issue (in themedia), call in and speak up. When you explain to theAmerican people the idea of earning citizenship, with thefirst priority enforcing borders, they understand."

McCain vowed that he would keep working with Kennedy toclear a path towards legalization for the undocumented nomatter how long it takes. One audience member asked ifMcCain would be willing to team again with Kennedy nextyear if the current Senate push to enact reform fails.

"As long as he's still alive!" McCain said to laughter. "Wedo enjoy each other's company."

But McCain is far from giving up the fight this timearound. "(This week) is a critical one. If we can get thebill through before we leave (for a two-week recess) thatwill be a major achievement," he feels.

The meeting's serious business was offset by severallighthearted moments in addition to the aforementionedKennedy one. A member of the audience told McCain that arunway was built in Donegal for him should he ever decideto visit on his way to a presidential run.

"If I do decide to run I will call on you for assistance!"McCain replied. "You know, after I lost in the primaries(in 2000) I slept like a baby. I'd sleep two hours and wakeup crying, sleep two hours and cry."

Boxer John Duddy, the New York-based middleweight contenderfrom Co. Derry, was given a huge cheer when he rose to aska question. McCain shook his hand and shared a story of histime spent in the squared circle.

"I was a mediocre boxer. I was able to observe the lightsfrom a prone position," he said.

And is the all-important bill Kennedy/McCain, orMcCain/Kennedy? "We'll call it McCain/Kennedy tonight,"ILIR Chairman O'Dowd laughed, with nods of approval from asmiling McCain.

The meeting was attended by a number of political and Irishcommunity leaders, including Congressman Eliot Engel, IrishConsul General Tim O'Connor, Irish Embassy First SecretaryJoe Hackett, Wall Street Access chairman and CEO DenisKelleher and New York GAA Chairman Seamus Dooley. ILIRhosted a private reception where they had the chance tomeet McCain, who was accompanied by his daughter Megan,before the meeting.

Senior Sinn Fein politicians Gerry Kelly and RaymondMcCartney, two former IRA prisoners, turned up yesterday atthe Belfast international conference on policing in anothersign of the changing times in Northern Ireland.

Their attendance at the prestigious conference hosted bythe North's policing board sends a positive signal aboutthe political and policing future.

However, as a recent election exchange on BBC RadioUlster's Talkback programme made clear, there are stillobstacles to be overcome before the policing issue is fullysettled.

A caller to the programme, broadcast from Enniskillen,asked what should he do if he saw a group of "disaffectedProvisionals or even a smaller republican group with guns".He wondered: "Do I contact the RUC [ sic], or do I turn ablind eye?"

"I can't tell anybody what to do on that point," said SinnFein MP for Fermanagh-South Tyrone Michelle Gildernew,prompting "disaffected Provisional" and anti-deal candidatein the constituency Gerry McGeough to interject, "Answerthe questions . . . if there are guns, does he report tothe British crown forces?"

"I personally wouldn't," said Ms Gildernew, adding, "but Iam working very hard to ensure those guns are never usedagain . . ."

Whatever about the qualification, it was the "I personallywouldn't" that made the impact. It caused outgoing localDUP Assembly member Arlene Foster, also on the Enniskillenpanel, to expostulate: "There we are, we don't support thepolice, we do support the police. Which is it?"

Now Foster would be on the "yes" wing of the DUP party - ifwe can use that curious phrase in relation to theDemocratic Unionists - but you could sense herexasperation.

Gildernew's remark is the type of comment that anti-dealDUP people such as Jim Allister and William McCrea willseize upon to argue that powersharing by the March 26th StAndrews deadline is unrealisable.

You don't want to be flippant about such a serious issuebut, say, it was a group of heavily-armed "disaffectedProvisionals" parading through west Belfast en route toattack the PSNI station on the Grosvenor Road - what then?Does she report? The joke in Belfast is that she wouldn'tneed to because "disaffected Provisional" informers wouldalready have touted to the cops about the planned attack.

But there's a potential political timebomb here. GerryAdams and Martin McGuinness are urging nationalists tosupport the PSNI, and to report ordinary crime to thepolice. They have also encouraged nationalists to join thePSNI.

What then if our brave band of "disaffected Provisionals"is about to attack police officers who just joined the PSNI- stationed in Grosvenor Road - on the Sinn Feinleadership's recommendation?

Now to some that scenario may appear bordering on thesurreal, but it's not simply academic: the Continuity IRAand Real IRA view police officers as "legitimate targets"and would, if they could, attack and kill them.

During the scores of republican policing debates ahead ofthe Sinn Fein ardfheis to endorse the PSNI, Gerry Adams,Martin McGuinness and Gerry Kelly almost casually swattedaway such pharisaical questions, of the type posed onTalkback, with the rebuttal to the dissidents: "You'regoing nowhere. Catch yourselves on. We are the only peoplewho can truly deliver for republicanism."

Perhaps Gildernew lacked the political savvy of Adams andMcGuinness to out-manoeuvre her questioners. Nonetheless,whether or not Sinn Fein support for the PSNI isconditional remains a genuinely tricky matter for the SinnFein leaders and they need to figure out the answer ifthere is to be a chance of powersharing on March 26th.

Only two weeks to go in the Northern Ireland Assemblyelection, and the frenzy of indifference is deafening,writes Miriam Lordin Lisburn.

Understandable, perhaps, in the South, where the mainpreoccupation lies with a general election which still hasabout three months of life left in it. But so far in theNorth, the campaign for the 108 Stormont seats on offer hasyet to ignite.

This might explain why a daft photo opportunity yesterdayinvolving Dr Ian Paisley and a couple of pancakes attractedfour camera crews, reporters from as far afield as Franceand Germany and the sort of attention normally reserved formore meaningful political events.

Neither the Doc nor his DUP team were complaining. Theywere chuffed with the publicity generated by their leader'smorning walkabout in Lisburn and the afternoon's bout ofcrepe flipping in Ballymena.

The fun began in MP Jeffrey Donaldson's Lagan Valleyconstituency - once an Ulster Unionist stronghold, but nowDUP territory following a stream of defections led byDonaldson and the demolition of David Trimble and UUP inthe last election.

It was market day in the town, and the four-strong team ofLagan Valley candidates were joined by Big Ian and PeterRobinson for an hour-long walkabout in the main shoppingarea. Before they set off from party headquarters, therewas some rather baffling banter between Jeffrey and Peterabout the merits of cross-dressing. Not the sort of talk,one would imagine, that the Rev Dr Paisley would be anxiousto encourage.

The afternoon's Belfast Telegraph shed light on themystery, reporting that the DUP had to switch location fora press conference last week when it was discovered that across-dressers' conference was taking place in the samevenue.

Dr Paisley arrived from a visit to a nearby factory, andthe office ladies appeared with tea in china cups. Then thecandidates and their visiting heavyweights set off towardsthe market square.

The dapper Doc - that's what the younger party workers callhim - moved off at a stately pace, black brogues gleaming,smart grey overcoat over an immaculate grey suit. After afew minutes, a man raced down the road from the officebearing his black felt fedora. The ensemble, and the image,was complete.

There is a DUP uniform. The younger the man, the wider thepinstripe on the conservative navy suit. It's the SavileRow meets Sandy Row look. Hair is neat, gelled and spiked.Ald Edwin Poots and Cllr Paul Givan were thus attired.

Cllr Jonathan Craig, as befits the more mature DUP man,wore Paisley grey. Wee Jeffrey, the big local vote winner,could afford to be a little more casual.

It was a sedate walkabout, in deference to Dr Paisley'sadvancing years. He's a huge hit with the femalepensioners. "Get up early and get your vote out, and takeyour porridge before you go!" he instructs them.

Now in his early 80s, Big Ian still cuts an impressivefigure. Two elderly ladies twittered with embarrassmentwhen he approached. "I don't want me photograph took,"giggled one.

"Oh, you better be taken with a good-looking man," boomedDr Paisley, grabbing her hand.

The ladies revelled in their mortification. "I couldn't getme glove off in time!" said one.

All was going to plan when they arrived at the marketsquare. Suddenly, a security man began speaking urgentlyinto his walkie-talkie. A raised voice could be heard inthe distance, and a tall, silver-haired man materialisedfrom behind the fish stalls. "Hello, Ian Paisley. Ian. Stoprunning away from me!" It was the UKUP's Robert McCartney,smiling broadly, shouting loudly and sniping from thesidelines.

Peter Robinson moved in beside his leader and placed a handon his arm. "Ian, bear left," he barked, and the reverenddoctor changed course smoothly, staring straight ahead.

It was all over in a flash. Bob McCartney, having made hispoint and snaffled some publicity, withdrew.

This was the DUP in a new electoral situation, where thebuzz word is "progress", where they aren't protesting ornoisily foisting their indignation on the mainstream. Theyare the mainstream now. Their campaign is more measured,and, the reporters sadly sigh, as boring as the rest.

After the polls close on March 7th, it is expected the DUPwill consolidate its position as the voice of unionism.These days, an avuncular Ian is reduced to cheery photoopportunities with old ladies and funny props.

Which is where the Galgorm Manor Hotel in Ballymena comesin. In the afternoon, he availed of their new kitchen toflip pancakes. "Why is he doing this?" asked a nonplussedGerman journalist. Nobody really knew, apart from the factit was Shrove Tuesday, and the hotel is in Dr Paisley'sNorth Antrim constituency.

With his bemused media pack in tow, Big Ian stood in frontof the stove and got a quick lesson in pancake flipping. Helooked a little lost. Not for the first time in his career,he flipped. This time, though, it was harmless. "High inthe air," pleaded the photographers.

Dr Paisley said little of substance. He has no intention ofrattling any more pans until the votes are in.

Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan made an impassioned pleayesterday to all Irish fans to respect England's NationalAnthem at Croke Park on Saturday night as the emotionaltemperature began to rise significantly ahead of the twosides' historic first meeting at the Gaelic AthleticAssociation citadel.

Viva voce: The England team will be expecting a ferventreception at Croke Park

O'Sullivan's comments came on the day a Republican splintergroup - Republican Sinn Fein (RSF) - confirmed they intendto mount a protest at Croke Park and a prominent GAAmember, J J Barrett, withdrew his father's medals indisgust from the GAA Museum at Croke at the prospect of GodSave The Queen being played.

The ground was the setting for Bloody Sunday in 1920 when14 Irish citizens were shot dead by British soldiers andearlier the GAA had rejected an offer by the BritishGovernment, in the form of Northern Ireland secretary PeterHain, to lay a wreath in their memory, saying that it wasinappropriate on such a sporting occasion.

But O'Sullivan, who yesterday announced the return ofcaptain Brian O'Driscoll for the eagerly awaited game,said: ''Our anthem of choice has always been respectedaround the world and I would hope that would bereciprocated. Britain's National Anthem was played at theSpecial Olympics at Croke Park three years ago and therewas no issue then.

''People can have opinions and express them passionatelyand fervently - it's called free speech - but when it comesto sport, the one thing you can say about Irish supportersover the last 20 years is that they are probably the bestand most positive in the world. I am sure they will embracethe occasion and that's really important for the Irelandteam. When they run on to the pitch against England, theywant the roof to come off the stadium and a massive surgeof energy to feed off. The team don't want negativity.

The major disappointment against France wasthat we couldn't deliver a win in front of such a fantasticcrowd."

O'Sullivan is right in thinking that the crowd have a partto play in picking up the Ireland team after the mostpainful defeat of his reign as coach. "They were in bitsafter the game, completely on the floor but you can'tunring a bell,'' he said. ''What's done is done. This isthe pivotal game of our season now. Win and we still aimfor the championship and the Triple Crown, lose and we willbe fighting for a position among the also-rans.

''England are in a good place, as I expected them to beafter their first two games. They are building momentum andhave some big-match players back. The game against Italywas probably a reality check but people consistentlyunderestimate Italy.''

The return of O'Driscoll is key for Ireland, as it would befor any team in which he plays. He only just missed out afortnight ago and has been straining at the leash eversince. ''Brian is the guy who consolidates the entire teamand knits things together," his fellow centre Gordon D'Arcysaid. "It always gives everybody a lift when's he'splaying."

O'Driscoll, who has helped Ireland to three consecutivewins over the world champions since 2003, slots back inalongside D'Arcy with Shane Hogan reverting to the wing inplace of Geordan Murphy, who drops out of the squadaltogether after a mixed display against the French.

''I enjoyed the French game for 78 minutes," O'Driscollsaid. "We were doing the right things to win even aftergiving them such a flying start, but in the end it wasn'tto be. What more can you say? Now it's England and anotherhuge occasion and a chance to get our Six Nations campaignback on track."

The prognosis on Peter Stringer is more encouraging than itwas this time last week - the broken hand didn't begin toheal as quickly as was hoped - but O'Sullivan is not goingto delay making a final decision beyond Thursday.

The Munster scrum-half has been working hard on his fitnessbut has still not involved himself in any contact work.Isaac Boss, who did nothing wrong and much good against theFrench, stands by and should prepare himself mentally for astarting role.

Meanwhile the radio phone-ins were buzzing all day inDublin with the anthems issue and a compromise solution mayhave been stumbled upon by Patrick O'Byrne, from Dublin 7,who suggested that "diehard Anglophobes can always grittheir teeth, close their eyes... and think of HelenMirren!"

Literature is full of midlife crises, but few charactershave as good a reason to indulge as Kathleen Moran. Themother of four has nothing but contempt for her alcoholichusband, who likes to boast about his imaginary exploits atthe corner pub; her part-time job is drying up and money istight; one of her children is in prison for killing apolice officer; and there's a giant hole in her living roomceiling where a soldier put his foot through it whilesearching her home. Said home is located in Belfast in1979, and her son is a member of the Irish Republican Army.

"This Human Season," Louise Dean's second novel, is setduring the run-up to the hunger strikes in the Maze prisonthat killed 10 strikers and were part of a worsening waveof terrorist violence during Northern Ireland's 30-year"Troubles." The bleak, grimly funny novel is the story oftwo 39-year-olds, Moran and one of the prison guards in herson Sean's H-block, and gives new meaning to the phrasescatological humor.

John Dunn spent 22 years in the British Army, includingthree tours in Northern Ireland. He figures this has beenample training for life as a guard. The smell is the firstindication that he may have underestimated his new line ofwork. As part of the "dirty blanket" protests, IRAprisoners striking for a return of their political statussmeared their own excrement all over the walls of theircells. A strong stomach is a requirement for his job. (It'salso a requirement for readers of this book. After a fewchapters, I wanted to hit the showers.)

The two protagonists' only connection is Sean, and theirstory lines never intersect. Instead of cobbling togetherfictional contrivances, Dean draws parallels between thetwo that strengthen each half of the novel. Both arepreoccupied with their teenage sons (Dunn has a boy Sean'sage whom he's never met). The bathroom is the only peacefulplace either can locate - Kathleen hides in her soap-scented one at home, while Dunn locks himself in a stall atwork to cry over the brutalities he witnesses every day.

Dean, who is English and who conducted extensive interviewsfor the novel, is dispassionate in her portrayal of bothsides of the conflict. There are plenty of crimes to goround, as well as plenty of humanity. She also nails theprofane camaraderie of the prison guards as well as shedoes the kitchen-table talk between Kathleen and herneighbors.

When Dunn starts work he has almost nothing in common withthe Metaphysical poet of (almost) the same name. He fell inlove with Northern Ireland during his time as a soldier, afact he calls his "guilty secret."

Dunn signed on at the prison because he was used tofollowing orders, and the pay was good. (It had to be,since the IRA was targeting guards).

In the Army, "there was no personal point of view. Therewas agreement and silence and both meant agreement in anycase. By being there, by wearing the uniform, you were inagreement with it all. You were a fool if you put it on andyou were not."

But after a few days in the Maze, Dunn startsphilosophizing - an uncomfortable feeling for a man whoreadily admits that he isn't "deep."

"Was killing educational? Perhaps briefly, as a generationis brief. The young sowed horror in their springtime withhigh hopes for the crop and it rotted down through a longsummer. They harvest grief in the autumn of their lives.And did they believe, even as they held theirgrandchildren, that there would be an end to it all? Aftera hard winter killed what was left of them off, it cameagain, this human season, this springtime of hatred."

Rather than philosophy, Kathleen relies on gallows humor,cigarettes, and alcohol to get through daily life in a warzone. The novel's ready wit offers a lifeline to readers,even as it does its characters. To get back at the Britishsoldiers who search their purses, Kathleen and her neighborbuy the bags that have the most zippers and stuff eachcompartment with sanitary products.

When the soldiers search her house, ripping up thefloorboards with a crow bar and vowing not to leave untilthey find guns, she tells her 13-year-old, "Liam, show theman your water pistol."

Kathleen's friend Roisin cleans house for one of the fewJewish families left in Belfast. "I wish I was a Jew," shetells Kathleen. "I said to her I might become one myself,just for the peace and quiet."

"This Human Season" builds to a climax in December, whichfinds Dunn celebrating Christmas with his son for the firsttime, while Kathleen must endure the first of many withouthers.

Dean offers her characters a measure of grace, but alertreaders know that the novel ends just as the Troubles beganan even more devastating phase. A certain amount ofknowledge of history is helpful, since while Dean providessome background, she isn't writing a treatise of either howthe Troubles began, or how life in Belfast has improvedimmeasurably since the 1980s.

"This Human Season" is about dispassionately dissectingboth sides of the divide, and doesn't extend forward intime to the days when that chasm will finally be bridged.It's a rare case where a reader can look to the real worldfor an ending that is happier than the fictional version.